Taking students to historical sites.

Through revolutionary historical sites such as O Ta Soc and Tuc Dup Hill, many localities in the province are innovating traditional education methods, helping students access history through practical experiences.

Glorious revolutionary tradition

During the war against the Americans, the Bay Nui region in general, and O Lam commune in particular, became a fierce battlefield, where guerrilla warfare took place between our army and people and the aggressive invaders. It was also a solid base for the revolutionary forces. For more than half a century, the memories of the arduous but proud and glorious war in the Bay Nui region, especially the O Ta Soc base and Tuc Dup hill, are still vividly remembered by former nurse Nguyen Thi Ngoc (76 years old), residing in O Lam commune. Ms. Ngoc said that at the age of 17, she left her family to join the revolution, and then spent many long years fighting against the Americans, with most of her revolutionary activities closely associated with the O Ta Soc base and Tuc Dup hill.

Students listen to a story about the 128-day and 128-night battle at Tuc Dup Hill right inside the C6 Auditorium cave. Photo: LE TRUNG HIEU

Due to its rugged natural terrain, the An Giang Provincial Party Committee chose this area as a base to direct the resistance strategy and revolutionary movement in the province. From late 1962 to 1967, it served as a key base for leading the revolutionary struggle against the enemy in An Giang. Under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, the revolutionary forces organized many surprise attacks that inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.

Not far from O Ta Soc is Tuc Dup Hill. This hill was heavily bombed by the Americans, but they failed to hit it, so it is also known as the "2 million dollar hill". Many deep caves and large caverns are interconnected, creating a very rugged terrain, ideal for building a military base. Therefore, throughout the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, Tuc Dup Hill served as a solid revolutionary base for the former Tri Ton district and An Giang province.

Following the Tet Offensive (1968), the US and its South Vietnamese allies concentrated their elite forces on Tuc Dup Hill, aiming to eliminate a crucial revolutionary base. Our troops were determined to hold firm in the Tuc Dup base area, maintaining the political and military struggle as a springboard for the liberation of An Giang province. “The battle raged fiercely for 128 days and nights. The enemy cut off all aid and supplies from outside to the revolutionary forces. Despite the disparity in forces and equipment, our soldiers were familiar with the treacherous terrain, possessed high fighting spirit, and were loved and supported by the people, resulting in heavy defeats for the enemy, forcing them to retreat. We held firm on Tuc Dup Hill, protecting the provincial and district leadership offices until the liberation of the entire South,” Ms. Ngoc shared.

Preserving our roots for future generations.

Today, revolutionary historical sites like O Ta Soc and Tuc Dup Hill are recognized as national-level revolutionary historical sites, becoming "red addresses" attracting many youth union members, students, and young people to learn about the heroic history of our army and people in the struggle, construction, and defense of the Fatherland. Many schools and youth organizations inside and outside the province organize trips to these historical sites, holding Party, Youth Union, and Young Pioneer membership ceremonies. Nguyen Thanh Hai, a student from Nguyen Huu Canh High School in Cho Moi commune, was moved when visiting Tuc Dup Hill. "Our generation is fortunate to be born and raised in peace. After visiting the exhibition house and listening to the explanations in the caves on the hill, we understand more about the courageous and heroic spirit of previous generations that allowed us to have a peaceful life today. I promise to try my best to study and train to be worthy of the sacrifices of our ancestors," Hai expressed.

Ms. Huynh Kim Hanh, Head of the Youth Union at A Luong Phi Primary School in O Lam commune, shared: “The school organizes many activities to promote the significance of major holidays, integrating local and national history education into various subjects; we regularly organize experiential activities and extracurricular activities for students to participate in and learn about. Through these activities, we help students understand local and national history, feel more proud, love their homeland and country more, and thus actively study and train.”

According to Phan Thanh Luong, Chairman of the People's Committee of O Lam commune, the commune has conducted a thorough and accurate survey and inventory of historical relics in the area, including their number, location, current condition, and historical and cultural value. Simultaneously, they have assessed the current state of management, preservation, and promotion of these relics, promptly identifying difficulties, limitations, and risks of degradation. This serves as the basis for proposing solutions for managing, restoring, preserving, protecting, and promoting the value of revolutionary historical relics in conjunction with the development of local culture and tourism.

LE TRUNG HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/dua-hoc-sinh-ve-dia-chi-do--a484578.html